Centrifugal oil purifier



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MEREDITH Limmen, or roUeHKE-Ersrn, New YORK, AssIeNoR To THE DE LAVAL sEPAnATon. COMPANY, or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY- CENTRFUGAI. oIL PURIFIER.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, MEREDITH LEiToH, a

citizen of the United States, residing at' Poughkeepsie, county of Duchess, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful. Improvement in Centrifugal Oil Purifiers, of which the following is a full, clear, 'and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification. i

My invention is an improvement in c entrifugal separators designed for separating liquids carrying in suspension some solids.

The object of myinvention is to provide a separator from which as large as possible a part of the solids will be removed with the heavier liquid and from which the solids retained in the bowl may be removed with a minimum amount .of trouble.

In the accompanying drawings, which show a preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 1 shows a section of the frame and a part elevation and part section of the bowl ofthe machine.

Fig. 2 shows, to a larger scale, a port-ion of 'an upper part of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the lower portion ofthe shell m.

o lis a masonry foundation, b the lower part of the frame and c the upper part of the frame. The two parts of the frame are spaced apart by means of a ring l() which is interposed between flanges f1 on the respective frame sections, bolts 42 extending through the flanges and the ring. At (Z a sphere-like socket is attached to the frame and in it fits apart e .of a tubular bearing carrying member` f having a flange g supported by cushions h on bolts t'.

A Enclosed by the lower part of the tubular member f, is a step bearing 50 and a lower guide bearing 51 for a bowl shaft The bowl shaft carries at its lower end the rotor 52 of a motor, the outer casing of which is shown at 7c. The rotor shown is a Pelton wheel, while the stator of the motor is shown as a jet nozzle 53 secured to the lower end of the bearing member f. The bowl shaft y' is guided near its upper end by a bearing Z carried in. the upper end of the tubular member f and carries on its upper end the Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 16 1922. Application filed April 22, 1920.

Serial No. 375,735.

inner bowl member whose bottom is -lettered n.. p

Above the bowl bottom n is a set of frustro-conical plates @technically called discs. Above these a special top disc eX- tends inward and upward, as shown at p, and has on its upper side severa-l wings or ribs g. A disc cage 7', turned inward above the discs as at s and upward at t, is forced downward on the ribs g and is secured to the bowl bottom n, clamping the entire set of discs together. Technically the complete set of discs is called the bowl liner. The part of the disc cage surrounding the outer edges of the discs is perforated.

The lower part of the outer bowl member,

or bowl shell m, is turned slopingly inward at 3,/ to form a heavy liquid outlet/w above the discharge weir ring w. On the upper side of this sloping portion there are wings with lugs g/ which closely fit a ring e around the lower edge of the bowl bottom fn. The upper part of the shell turnsv inward at 11 above the sloping part s of the disc cage and upward at 12 concentric with the upward turned neck t on the disc cage. The inside of the neck 12 of the bowl shell is threaded to fit an annular nut 13 having an inwardly turned flangev 14 resting on ka shoulder on the disc cage neck t. By this nut the top of the bowl shell m is guided and the entire shell raised until the lugs y seat in their place in the ring e.

Secured to, but turnable independently of the nut 13, is a ring 15 having `lugs 16 and 17 fitting vertical grooves 18 and 19 in the bowl neck and the neck of the disc cage. Coaction of these lugs and grooves insures that the parts will always be assembled in the same relative positions.

On top of the nut is a ring 2() with an inwardly turned flange 21. Through the nut 13 and the ring 15 there are holes 22 annularly extensive.

Supported on top ofthe frame is acentral feed cup 23 with the annular regulating tube 24 for the material to be separated and an annular feed cup 25 with the second annular regulating tube 26 forI a cushioning or carrier liquid.

Through the bowl bottom n, approximately in line with the inner edges of the disc, is a set of holes 33, forming the outletfor the lighter liquid.

Through the top disc and through all of the'zdiscs o, near their outer peripheries, are holes 27 Around the lower edge of the bowl is a depending ring 28. The frame of the* ma'- chine is made to fit as closely around the bowlasproper clearances will permit and is provided with a channel 29 to receive the ring 28. Near the top of the frame is a pipeconnection 30.l 4 y The bowl shell/m comprises an upper section Aand a lower sect-ion, as shown. The two sections ofthe bowl shell: are held together by a sectional ring 310 of channel cross section. ,The ring 310 is held to the bowl by an outer i'inglI bolted to the inner ringas shown. On the upper liange 41 of the lower part f?) oflthe frame, within the ring 40 of the frame, and below the ring 31 of the bowl shell, are several lugs 32,

In operation, the materials to be `sepa.- rated are fed into the cup 23 and pass downward through the regulating tube 24 into the space abovethe top disk p. The wings (I cause these materialsfto rotate at the same speed as the bowl. If there are very heavy solids they may be thrown out of the liquid .at once, pass through the pertorations in -holes 33; f f

If the liquids, being separated, contain much solid matter that tends to collect 4against'the inside of theshell, ya cushioning or carrier liquid vmay be suppliedto the annular feed cup 25. This will iiow` down. through'the regulating tube 26 and the holes ,22.into the space between the sloping top .e

`the bowl.

of the 'disc cage and the sloping top 11 oit the bowl shell.` Because this space is made as smooth. asvpossible, the inertia'of the liquid is-able to cause it to lag as yit passes outward and at theoutside rotate' much slower than This causes a scouring action against the ins-ideof the bowl shell and also reduces the centrifugal torce acting on solid particles as they approachvthe shell. These ,twoi actions together result inthe carrying out with the liquid of a much greater prof portion ol the solids than occurs without the `cushioning or carrier liquid.v This action maybe increased-by using, as a cushion or carrier, concentrated brine or some other liquid of high specific gravity.

When, in spite of all efforts to prevent it, the bowl shell becomes loaded with solids, the power is shut on and water is passed through the inlet 30 to the space-between the bowl and thecasin'gfand, byfliquid friction, soon brings the machine to a standstill. The ring 28 running in the channel 29 acts to prevent too ree an escape of water fromthe braking space.

After the bowl stops the covers 23 and 25 may be removed and a wrench provided for the purpose attached to the nut 13. By unscrewing this nut the bowl shell is allowed to dropuntil the ring 31 restsfon the lugs 32. The nut ,13 and ring 15 may then be removed, leaving the bowl shell safely clear of the bowl bottom n and of the disc cage r--8, so that they may be rotated independently.

A strong jet of water may be shot down inside the neckp ofthe top disck against the inner edges of the discs o. With the discs inrotation, centrifugal force will help this water to pass rapidly between the discs, washingy out any sediment-that may have collected there. The water, escaping at high velocity from the edges of the discs, will impinge, with a scouring action, against the inside of the stationary bowl shell, loosen the dirt deposited there and wash it out through the heavy liquid outlet w.

It themachine has been run so long without cleaning that dirt is packed too hard to allow the bowl shell to drop down, it is possible to direct a high pressure water jet through the space from which the nut 13 is removed and soon loosen it. The previously described cleaning process may then loe followed. f y

After the sediment is cleaned out of the bowl, the liner and bowl bottom are turned until the vertical grooves in the disc cage are in line with thosein the bowl neck. The ring 15 may then be dropped into place with its lugs 16 and 17 in the grooves 18 and 19 and the bowl shell be drawn up to its running position by the nut 13.`

I do not herein claim that part of the above described .construction providing for the owingof a liquid between the rotatable bowl shell andthe closely surrounding bowl casing and the maintenance of a body of such liquid in frictional contact with both the bowland casing so as to' arrest the. rotation of the bowl, as the same forms the subject-matter of a divisional application filed July 8, 1921, Serial. No. 483,192.

Having now fully describedmy invention, what l claim and ,desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. In a centrifugalscparator, a compound rotatable bowl comprising an inner member with a perforated periphery Vand an outer shell member, in combination with means to rotate the inner member either independently of, or in unison with, the outer member.

2. In a centrifugal separato-r, a compound rotatable bowl comprising` an inner member with a perforated periphery and an outer shell member, in combination with means to rotate the inner member, and means operable to connect the two members so that they will rotate in unison and to disconnect them so that the inner member will rotate independently.

3. In a centrifugal'separator, the combination with a rotatable vbowl bottom and liner, of a bowl shell, means to secure said shell to said bowl bottom and liner so as to rotate therewith and other means to support said shell stationary and concentric with said bowl bottom and liner so that said bottom and liner may be rotated therein independently thereof.

il. In a centrifugal separator,the combination with a flexibly supported hollow i member havinga lateral bearing near its upper end and a step bearing and a second lateral bearing near its lower end, and a shaft carried by said bearings, of a bowl bottom andliner carried by said shaft land bowl shell adapted to be attached to and rotated with said bottom and liner and also adapted to be stationarily supported concentric with and independent of said bottom and liner. i

5. In a centrifugal separator, the combination with a bowl bottom and a set of frusto-conical discs vsuperposed thereon, ot a disc rounding the discs being perforated, and

an outer bowl shell spaced from the disc cage. 1

7. In acentriuga-l separator, the combination with a bowl bottom and a set of trusteconical discs superposed thereon, of a disc cage secured to the bowl bottom and surrounding the discs and turned inward above them, the part of said disc cage surrounding the discs being perforated, an outer bowl shell spaced from the disc cage, means to rotate the bowl bottom, discs and disc cage,.and means to operatively connect and disconnect said rotatable elements with the outer bowl shell so that said elements may be rotatable in unison with, or independently oit, the bowl shell.

l 8. A centrifugal separating bowl provided with an inlet tor separable materials and means to cause such material to rotate at the same speed as the bowl, said bowl having also a second inlet adapted to receive a cushioning liquid for solids and smooth passages wherein said cushioning liquid may rotate more slowly than the bowl.

9. In a centrifugal separator bowl, the.

combination with a bowl having separate inlets, one for materials to be separated and another for a cushioning liquid, and passages connnunicating with the respective inlets, of means in the passage communicating with the first inlet tending to compel the materials liowing through said passage to rotate at the speed of the bowl, the other passage being unobstructed to allow the inertia of the cushioning liquid flowing therethrough to cause it to lag behind the rotative speed of the bowl and effect a scouring action against the inside of the bowl shell.

l0. In a centrifugal bowl, the combination with a bowl having two outwardly eX- tending inclined passages, one for the materials to be separated and the other for a cushioning liquid, of a wingin the iirst passage, the other passage being unobstructed.

11. In a 4centrifugal separator, a compound rotatable bowl comprising a disc cage having a. conical portion and an outer shell with `a similar conical portion, there being a passage for materials to be separated within the conical portion of the disc c'age and a passage for a cushioning liquid between the conical portions of the two bowl members, and separate inlets communicating with the separate passages.

l2. In. a centrifugal separator, a compound rotatable bowl comprising a disc cage having conical portion and an outer shell with a similar conical portion, there being a passage for materials to be separated within the conical portion of the disc cage and a passage for a cushioning liquid between the conical portions ot the two bowl members, and separate inlets communicating with the separate passages. in combination 'with a wing in the first passage tending to impart to the materials the speed of the bowl, the second passage being unobstructed.

v13. A centrifugal separator comprising an inner member with a perforated periphery and an outer shell, there being an opening through which a high pressure liquid may be directed between the inner member and outer shell to disintegrate and wash out sediment deposited between them. v

14. A centrifugal separator comprising a bowl bottom, a separating liner, and means to support and rotate them, and provided with an opening through which a jet ot liquid may be projected against the inner tace of and into the interstices of the liner to wash sediment therefrom.

15. In a centrifugal separator, the combination with an inner member comprising a bowl bottom and a separating liner, and an outer member comprising a shell, of means to -rotate the inner member relatively to the `outer member, rthere being an opening through which a jet of liquid may be projected through the interstices ofthe liner against the inner wall oi? the shell, thereby i cleaning the liner and scouring the inner `wall ot' the shell.

16. In a centrifugal separator, a com pound rotatable bowl comprising an inner member with` a' perforated periphery and an outer shell member, in combination withmeans to rotate the inner member, means operable to connect the two members so that they will rotate in unison and to disconnect them so that the inner member will rotate independently, there being an opening through which a jet loit liquid may be projected through vthe inner member against thc innerwall ot theouter shell.

17. In a centrifugal `separating bowl, the combination with a, revoluble` bowl bottom and liner, ot' a detachable bowl Vshell and an opening through which a high pressure liquid jet may be directed between said liner and shell to disintegrate and wash out sediment deposited therein. l

18. In a centrifugal separator, a compound rotatable bowl comprising an inner member with a perforated periphery and anouter shell member, in combination with means to rotate the inner member, means operable to connect the two members so that they will rotate/inunisonV and to disconnect themso that the inner member will rotate independk ently, there being an opening through which ahigh pressure j et ot' vliquid may be directed between the inner and outer members.

19. In a centrifugal separator, the combination with a rotatable bowl, ot an outer .trame comprising a lower section and an upper section, opposing. circumferential flanges on the respective sections and af ring secured between the flanges.

20. In a centrifugal separator, the combination with a compound bowl comprising -an inner. rotatable member and an outer member, ot means operable to operatively connect and disconnect the outer member and the innermember, a surrounding frame having a recess, and means on the ,outer bowl member `extending into said recess, thereby affording a support tor the outer bowl mem- Iber when it is 'iperatively disconnected trom the inner bow] member.

2l. In a centrifugal separator, the combination with an inner rotatable bowl member, of an outer bowl member., and an annular-nut between the two members engaging one memberand threaded on the other.

22. In a. centrifugal separator', the combination with an inner rotatable bowl mem ber, of an outer bowl member, a `ring between `the two bowl members, said bowl an annular mit above, supporting, but o turnable relatively to, the ring andl threaded on the neck of one bowl member and engaging rthe neck of4 the otherbowlmember.

25. In a centrifugal separator, the y combination with an inner rotatablebowl nieinber and an outer bowl member, both members having necksot a device between, and operatively connecting, the necks, ot the two Vmembers, said connecting device being oriced, to allow thefadmissionot a liquid between the twoemembers.,4

26. In a centrifugal separator, the combinationwvith an outer bowl shell and an inner bowl member having a perforated pe riphery, ofa containerfory materials to be y.

separated, another coi'itainer tor a cushioningliquid, and means providing conduits` .from the respective containers to the inner and outer .bowl members respectively.

27. In a centrifugal separator, the conibination, with an inner'bowl inemberand au outer-bowl member, of means connecting the two members and operable to move the outer bowl member relatively upward, and coact- `ing means on the two` members to limit the relative upward movement ofthe outer bowl member.

Q8. yIn a .centrifugal separator, Vthe .combination with an inner bowl member, a surroundingring, an outer bowl member adjustableupwardly and havingL an inwardly ssloping lowervpart, and lugs above said sloping lower part adapted, in the upward movement of the outer bowl member, to engage with the ring. f

29. In a centrifugal separator, the com- `bination with an inner bowl member having a downward sloping lower part,.of an outer bowl member whose lower part slopes'downward, and ribs between said downwardly sloping parts.

30. n a centrifugal separator, the combination with `anvinnerbowl member having a downward sloping lower part, of an` outer bowl member whose lower ypart slopes down,-`

ward, means to adjust the outer vbowl member,upwardly,ribs on the sloping part of the outer bowl member, lugs at Vthe upper andI outer ends ofthe ribs, and a ring around the inner bowl member against which Said ent of said driving mechanism to arrest the lo lugs are adapted to t. rotation of the outer member When it is ro- 31. A centrifugal machine comprising an tatably connected with the inner member, inner rotatable member and yieldable drvthereby arresting the rotation of the inner ing mechanism therefor, an outer member.y member. means to operate the two members so that In testimony of which invention, have 15 they Will rotate in unison and to disconnect hereunto set my hand, at Poughkeepsie, them so that the inner member will rotate N. Y., on this 17 day of April, 1920. independently, and braking means independ- MEREDITH LEITCH. 

